The effect of practical blood flow restricting method to the upper extremity on core endurance in young men engaging in fitness

This study aimed to examine the effect of applying a practical blood flow restriction method to the upper extremity on core endurance in young men who are engaged in fitness. Twenty young men with a mean age of 23.15±2.99 years and a body mass index of 23.875±2.33 kg/m2 participated in our study. Participants were divided into two groups as blood flow restrictive (BFR) exercise group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Extensor endurance, side plank and flexor endurance tests of the participants, core endurance and hypertrophy formed by arm circumference measurement were evaluated. The exercises lasted 3 days a week for 8 weeks. BFR and control group evaluations were made before and after exercise. When the pre- and post-exercise values were compared, a significant improvement was found in all parameters in the BFR group in favor of post-exercise (p˂0.05). In the control group, a significant improvement was found in favor of arm circumference after exercise (p˂0.05). There was no significant improvement in favor of the extensor endurance test, side plank test and flexor endurance test after exercise (p˃0.05). There was no significant difference in any parameter between the post-exercise changes in the BFR group and the control group (p˃0.05). Low-intensity BFR exercise can produce similar changes to high-intensity resistance exercise. BFR exercise can be added to exercise programs as an alternative.